The Warcraft franchise belongs to Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. All characters, mentioned or shown, in this story that cannot be found in the game belong to me, my friend, or members of the Bloodraptor Clan. As far as I know, there is no Daggerwing Guard on the server (Wyrmrest Accord) or game and any characters that have the same name as one of my own are purely coincidental. The plot of the story is my own. Expect slow updates due to the fact that I am working on other stories and that I get writers' block easily.

Under the Shadow of Wings – Prologue

Flight. It has long been the dream of mortals to command the sky – to lay claim to the dominion of gods while hell rang out below in the clashing of blades and the spilling of blood.

I was far from heaven. That much was clear.

xXxXx

I rolled behind my opponent, dodging a roundhouse kick. I took the opportunity to sweep her feet out from under her. She rolled out of it with practiced ease and the dance continued without pause. She rushed me, hoping to pin me against the wall not occupied by the ever-growing crowd, placing bets on the outcome. I knew those bets weren't in my favor…they never are for an elf.

I ducked under her arm and locked it behind her back. I pressed my foot against the back of her knee, forcing her to kneel. But I knew it wouldn't deter her for long. She slammed her head into my already-bloody nose, confirming the prediction of her getting out of my hold. She returned my leg sweep.

I didn't roll out of it as she had, but I shoved both of my feet into her ribs. She stumbled back and I jumped onto my feet again. I charged her and drove an uppercut at her jaw, but she grabbed my wrist as I tried to pull it back. She threw me against the wall and before I could react she had me pinned to the ground, and her hand on my throat.

But I wasn't done yet. I twisted her leg, locking it between my own and causing her to trip. She released her hold on my throat and I gasped for air. I ignored the punches she was throwing at me and worked her into a headlock. We stayed that way for about a minute before the match was called. I had won!

I released her and laid on my back, closing my eyes, trying to catch my breath. Amongst the noise of the crowd, I heard my opponent, and friend, start to laugh and I joined in. The crowd soon dispersed, and the Cleft of Shadow soon returned its normal low murmur.

"I'll go get us some water and a priest." Said my rival and fellow rogue.

I nodded, still too winded from the fight to talk. I stood and walked to where I had placed my belongings and tossed it over my shoulder. I leaned against the wooden supports and stared into the brazier next to me. It was then that my friend had decided to return, still smiling.

"Well, I have the water," Which she had tossed to me, "But there was no priest in sight."

"Oh well. We've both had worse."

"True." Then she noticed my sack. "You leaving?"

"Yeah. I got a letter from my trainer. He wants me to return to Silvermoon. He says I've wasted enough time messing around."

"Is he wrong?"

"No." I laughed. "The next zeppelin will be here soon. I don't want to have to spend a ton of gold on a mage... I'll miss you, Agreshka."

"Yeah right! You'll miss rubbing your victory in my face! Your first and only victory. You're not the only one who'll be training."

"We'll see." We talked some more as we walked to the zeppelin towers (ignoring the few stares at our injuries). The boarding call sounded, breaking us out of the good mood. Agreshka turned back to me.

"I'll see you soon, Solinthia."

I smiled and ran to catch my ride back home. "You can bet on it!"